Page
July 7, 1897.1
own experience or that of others he knows to be not only legitimate, but also safe.
to
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
markets to a foreigner whose proceedings they have no means of checking. But although the A merchant is not a missionary: the latter export trade remains in foreign hands, a change persists in his efforts in spite of every obstruc-of another kind is noticeable. Where years tion and disappointment. If in his quality of ago a few large firms with large capital bought British subject he suffers wrong, he seeks re China's products and sent them to Europe on dress, but his failure to obtain it does not deter their own account, there are now many small him from continuing in his self-imposed task. firms who receive orders from Europe by A merchant as a man of business has to telegraph, and who fulfil these for a small com- look to practical results. He derives little mission at no risk to themselves. The tele- satisfaction from being assured that his com- graph and banking facilities have made it plaint is well founded, and that he is entitled unnecessary to possess capital, and the business reparation; he looks at his chances of obtain of the export merchant in China has in ing reparation, and if, as frequently happens, a great measure changed into that of the he sees that these are remote, and that bis commission agent. One of the consequences officials can do no more for him than address of this is that the commission agent who futile remonstrances to the Chinese authorities, is buying on a limit, and who receives he retires from the unprofitable business, and a commission on the amount of the invoice, instead of spending his time and money in buys on the best terms he can at the treaty upholding treaty rights, he devotes these to port, but has no personal interest in the pre- other purposes where the prospects are more rious treatment which merchandise has ex- encouraging.
perienced at the hands of the tax-collector, and does not feel disposed to engage in the inter- minable disputes which an attempt to profit by the treaty stipulations affecting the inland transit of merchandise would land him in. Were he dealing with his own money, and was every dollar saved in taxes a dollar in his own pocket, he probably would try to bring this taxation down to the legal minimum; but in filling an order he now takes what the local market offers, and makes no research into the past.
It will probably cause surprise to learn how few British merchants now exist in China. In Shanghai there are 80 British firms, large and small;
at the outports the list is as follows:-
Number of Outports.
Firms.
Newchwang.
Tientsin
Chefoo Chungking Ichang Hankow
Kiukiang
Wuhu
Chinkiang Ningpo Wenchow Foochow
Amoy
Swatow.
Canton
Hoihow.
Pakhai
3
9
021
اح
And of these not a few are merely commission agents. If the firms which are solely interested in tea are excluded, then the number is indeed insignificant, and yet it is on these that we have mainly to rely for the extension of our trade. China as a customer of ours cannot buy unless she has something to pay with. It has often been pointed out by those who study trade statistics that China buys as much as she can afford. In the long run an increase of exports means an increase of imports, but it has to be remembered that the Chinese producer does not seek a market for his goods in foreign countries; he stays at home till a purchaser comes to him, and it is doubtful whether a single article has ever found its way to a foreign market through the enterprise of the Chinese merchant. If the interchange of
commodities between East and the West is to
grow, it is the western merchant who must dis- cover what more the Chinaman has to give us in exchange for our manufactures. 'The in- itiative must come from our side, and until we can take more from China, she must not be ex- pected to take more from us.
The increased purchasing power of gold in silver-using countries now makes profitable the exportation of many articles of Chinese produce which were neglected before. The customs returns for the year 1890 give a list of 50 articles exported to foreign countries, of a value of 76,339,000 taels, and sum up the rest as sundries, valued at 1,544,000 taels. In 1895 these same 50 articles represented. 129,355,000 taels, and the sundries then had mounted up 13,938,000, taels.. While the principal staples had increased 70 per cent., the sundries had increased 800 per cent. Once an article becomes a constituent of the export trade, the Chinaman may be trusted to bring it to a market; but it is for the foreigner to discover what kind of produce is suitable, and then introduce it into the trade.
The export trade from China to Europe and America, unlike the import trade, has shown no tendency to pass out of foreign hands. Occasionally, but so rarely as not to be of any importance, the Chinese dealer will be per- suaded by the foreign merchant, to retain an interest in produce consigned to a foreign market; but the results are usually discourag ing, and the Chinese are too distrustful to leave the sale of their merchandise in foreign
|
THE LIGHT DUES COMMISSION.
For the information of those who take an interest in the Light Dues question, Mr. Herbert Smith has handed us the following correspondence between himself and the Govern
ment :-
MR. HERBERT SMITH TO THE COLONIAL
SECRETARY,
Hongkong, 14th June, 1897. Sir,-At a preliminary meeting of the Light Dues Commission, held on the 10th inst. to consider and decide on the method of procedure, I proposed for the consideration of the Chair man, Sir John Carrington, and of the other members, that the Commission should, before taking any evidence under questions 3, 4, 5, and 6, proceed to consider and determine whether any useful purpose could be served by entering into the investigations suggested by these questions, investigations entailing for their satisfactory
solution an examination of the Colonial accounts almost since the foundation of the colony. Sir John Carrington was of opinion that as three officers of the Government, the Colonial Treas urer, the Harbour Master, and the Captain Superintendent of Police, had already examined into and reported on the matter, the Commis- sion ought at least to hear their evidence and learn from them the grounds on which they had recommended the inclusion in the public expenditure on shipping of the items covered by questions 3, 4, 5, and 6.
I find on looking carefully over the memo- randum submitted by these officers, and cir- culated to the members of the Commission for their information, that these gentlemen do not feel confident that their statement of the account is in conformity with Mr. Chamberlain's views on the subject, as expressed in his despatch of 17th March last, which they describe as so framed as to leave them in doubt as to the real intent of the Secretary of State. These gentle. men also see clearly that the account, as stated by them, will lead to endless discussions, if their opinions and suggestions are to be taken in the settlement of the question.
I am bound to say that I see nothing doubtful or ambiguous in Mr. Chamberlain's despatch, and it seem to me that the accounts stated by the three gentlemen in question, and the consequent instructions to the Commission, travel a long way beyond anything ever in- tended, or suggested, by the Secretary of State. I have therefore the honour to suggest for His Excellency the Governor's consideration that, before the Commission plunge into the inves- tigation of so difficult and such complicated questions, which must take a very long time, and involve such differences of opinion as are sure to arise, it would be well to refer the memorandum from Messrs. Smith, Rumsey, and
83
May to the Secretary of State, together with the Commission, and ascertain whether the suggested line of inquiry is or is not in accor- dance with his wishes. I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
HERBERT SMITH. Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, Colonial Secre
tary,
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO MR.
HERBERT SMITH.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 29th June, 1897. Sir, In reply to your letter of the 14th inst, I am directed to state that, so far as the Com- mission is concerned, the Governor in Council waives an enquiry into the questions numbered 3, 4, 5, and 6 contained therein and the Chair- man will be informed accordingly.
His Excellency trusts that the Commissioners will now proceed to enquire into the other points of reference with as little delay as possible.--I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
Herbert Smith, Esq.
A NOTE ON HONGKONG.
A German resident of Kobe who is on his way home for a trip write an interesting note on Hongkong in a private letter from which we (Kobe Chronicle) have been permitted to make the following extract:
"I enjoyed my stay in Hongkong very much. The place appeared to me like paradise; the beautiful and splendid vegetation, its variety and exuberance appear to us people from higher latitudes like wonders. In the bushes, full of many coloured flowers, the singing of birds is continuous, and pigeons and jackdaws are innumerable. As I lived just above the public garden, I was in a good position to observe. This garden contains an incredible number of plants, bushes and trees from all parts of the world, all named and specified. Many an hour I have spent there. Remarkable, too, is what the English have made of this island of rocks. Hats off before such energy! What a number of roads in perfect condition all over the island, what substantial and splendid buildings carried up to the very top of the mountain. The Waterworks receive their water from the other side of the island through a tunnel, filter it above the town, distribute it and pump it even up to the houses on the Peak. Our Japanese friends might learn something from this; also Mr. Trotzig-if we were not in a chronie state of impecuniosity as regards Municipal funds. The people seemed to me more diligent than in Kobe. I had much opportunity of looking about and seeing the shops, where, with the exception of silver goods, everything de- corative is from Japan. The market buildings are excellent, and I admired especially the excellent arrangements to keep carp and other fish. Men work pumps continually, whereby the water is in constant motion and mixes with the air. The abundance of tropical fruits and vegetables in the markets is very notice. able. But I liked the butchers' shops less."
Referring to the Prinz Heinrich, the writer is strong in his praise of the vessel, which on the run to Singapore went as steady as if no ses could make her roll. The appointments, he says, are those of a palace, and the speed of the two days preceding arrival at Singapore was 306 and 330 knots respectively.
HONGKONG GOLF CLUB.
BEST SCORE CUP.
:
For the above competition, now a quarterly one, there were forty-nine entries and the pool was taken by Mr. Robertson, who returned a very steadily played round. Scores:-
Mr. H. W. Robertson Mr. H. L. Dalrymple Mr. F. J. Badeley... Mr. W. A. Duff Mr. G. Stewart Mr. C. A. Tomes
-
B*****
91 13
78
93
.8
85
94
86%
98
12
86
89
3
*: 86
97
9.
88
There were 2,436 visitors to the City Hall Museum last week, of whom 207 were Euro- peans.
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